The Giants-Cowboys game for the NFC East Division championship and the Packers-Lions game for the NFC Central Division represent the first time there have been two winner-take-all games for division titles on the last week of the season since the 1970 merger.
It’s the first time since 1989 when Cleveland beat Houston for the AFC Central title that even one division has come down to a winner-take-all game the last week.
Games of the week
Packers (9-6) at Lions (9-6)
Green Bay ran all over Detroit Nov. 21 in Milwaukee, winning 26-17 when Barry Sanders was healthy. The Lions couldn’t stop Green Bay’s sweeps. That loss seemed to mark the beginning of the end for the Lions, yet they survived the injury to Sanders and are back with everything on the line. They still don’t have Sanders, but their running production is up. Erik Kramer will need to perform another miracle. The Packers are without tight end Jackie Harris for the playoffs. Noon.
Cowboys (10-5) at Giants (11-4)
Dallas trounced New York 31-9 Nov. 7 in Dallas, which is why the Cowboys are touchdown favorites to prevail again in the Meadowlands. Cold weather may be New York’s biggest ally, because a conservative game featuring running between the tackles would favor the Giants, who are bigger and stronger up the middle on both sides of the ball. Giants cornerback Mark Collins said some of his teammates got “stage fright” in Dallas. The winner gets home field in the NFC throughout the playoffs. Noon.
Broncos (9-6) at Raiders (9-6)
Los Angeles is in if it wins. The Raiders beat the Broncos 23-20 in Denver on Oct. 18 and Broncos already are in the playoffs, but would rather not have to meet Raiders a third time. The Raiders can’t run a lick, but the Buccaneers beat the Broncos last week in Denver. 3 p.m. WMAQ-Ch. 5.
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Dolphins (9-6) at Patriots (4-11)
Look who has won three in a row. Not Miami, which is holding onto the remnants of a promising season wrecked by injury. If the Dolphins win, they are in, but they have lost four in a row and don’t have much defense left. Surprisingly, New England found some offense the last couple of weeks. Noon.
Bills (11-4) at Colts (4-11)
Just when it looks like Buffalo might be folding early, it must face one of the worst teams in the league to preserve home-field advantage. Once again, it looks like the AFC trail to the Super Bowl will lead through Buffalo. The Bills have had trouble scoring, but playing the 28th-ranked defense in the league should help. In the last six weeks, Indianapolis has scored as many as 10 points once. Noon.
Jets (8-7) at Oilers (11-4)
New York still might have a long shot. If the Broncos beat the Raiders and the Steelers beat the Browns, the Jets will have incentive to beat Houston Sunday and get in. But if the Colts upset the Bills, the Oilers would like to win their 11th in a row and get home field and the longest streak in the league heading into the playoffs. 7 p.m. ESPN.
Games worth a peek
Browns (7-8) at Steelers (8-7)
Pittsburgh still has a chance if Raiders and Jets lose. Cleveland would like to avert fourth straight losing season. Bill Belichick got a glimpse of Vinny Testaverde’s potential last week, and liked what he saw. How will he leave opinions in the off-season? Noon.
Cardinals (6-9) at Falcons (6-9)
Two old coaching buddies, Joe Bugel and Jerry Glanville, fight to see which one deserves to be fired. Phoenix players like Bugel more than Atlanta’s like Glanville, but that will have little to do with their fates. Noon.
Seahawks (6-9) at Chiefs (10-5)
Kansas City didn’t really want that home-field advantage anyway, did it? This is Part II of the Notre Dame bowl game between quarterbacks Rick Mirer and Joe Montana. Montana won the first one on Dec. 5, 31-16. After losing two of three, the Chiefs need to polish their act if they hope to make a playoff run. Noon. WMAQ-Ch. 5.
Eagles (7-8) at 49ers (10-5)
By Monday night, this might be the only “playoff” exposure Philadelphia gets. The Eagles have battled attrition all season and could give their offseason a tremendous boost by upsetting San Francisco. The 49ers lost to the Oilers last week without really trying and must regain an edge for the playoffs. 8 p.m. Monday. WLS-Ch. 7.
Games of the weak
Bears (7-8) at Rams (4-11)
The only way this game could mean anything to the Bears is if they shut down Jerome Bettis and win on a touchdown pass to Curtis Conway. Then they can sleep well until the next draft. 3 p.m. WBBM-Ch. 2.
Chargers (7-8) at Buccaneers (5-10)
This could mean something to San Diego only if the Chargers lose. Then it would mean they are more disappointed than they thought they were. To the Bucs, it’s another chance to convince themselves they are finally on the way toward something very rare in Tampa history-a 6-10 season. 3 p.m.
Bengals (3-12) at Saints (7-8)
Cincinnati has won two in a row. New Orleans has lost 8 of 10. Jim Mora ripped fans after they cheered an injured Wade Wilson in last Superdome appearance. This might be Mora’s last stand. 3 p.m.